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From Wilson Okereke, Afikpo
Vice-Chancellor, Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, has disclosed that the institution has been placed first among the state universities in the South East region of Nigeria by the rating of Webometric, a Spanish based international organization.
Ogbu made this known at a pre-convocation briefing for the combined 12th-15th convocation ceremony for graduands of 2019 to 2022 academic sessions.
The VC stated that the essence of the rating was to attract partnerships, adding that besides other numerous recognitions and ratings from within and outside Nigeria, another ranking body – “Study Abroad Aide” based in South Korea had categorized EBSU as one of the 100 best value universities in Nigeria in January 2024.
Ogbu said that the organization ranks world universities based on the academic quality of the institutions and the school fees compared to average school fees in the country, which would guide students planning to study abroad in their choice of universities.
“As a result of the rankings, a number of universities from overseas had contacted EBSU for collaboration, we have rejected some and also developed cooperation with some,” Ogbu said.
He further disclosed that the institution promoted 71 staff to full-fledged professors and 21 persons to associate professors, while other academic and non-academic staff also received different promotions.
“The focus of the management under my leadership since February, 2018 has been to upgrade the academic status of the institution, promote research and provide conducive environment for effective learning” he added.
The VC maintained that the institution made tremendous achievements in some areas as academic development, research, digital service delivery, staff warfare among others, adding that the students’ population grew from 14,335 to 19,500.
He also said that faculties in the institution increased from five faculties in 1999 to 11 in 2024 with six academic directorates, college of health sciences, school of postgraduate studies and work and study programme.
“There are 72 academic programmes in EBSU accredited by National Universities Commission except seven in the new Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences,” the VC stated.
He explained that the quest of his management team to increase research activities, they established a research club where older academics mentor young ones on research methods, proposal and grant writing.
The VC noted that EBSU has recorded 17 inaugural lectures under his watch and accessed all TETFund interventions from 2016 till date, including eight zonal and special allocations that enabled the management to complete a lot of projects.
